There are several online record providers all over the web which proffer the same services but for only a minimal fee. Others don’t require a fee though.
In the State of California,
background screening is quickly becoming a standard practice in many workplaces and businesses. Even across the world, this is also done in most organizations. Organizations are incessantly on the sentry for new ways to lessen their risk, and conducting background screening is an effective and easy way to do so. Anyone doing a background check will tend to rely greatly on
Criminal Records, although court records can be used as well. California criminal records can be requested from the Department of Justice or California Attorney General.
Pursuant to California’s Public Records Act, any Californian has the right to access public information maintained by local and state government agencies, including the Department of Justice. California, however, restricts access to certain records such as criminal and arrest records to legitimate law enforcement agencies, authorized applicant agencies, and those persons named on the records only. Requests from people whose purpose is neither any of these will not be accommodated.
In case of background checks or genealogy research, the Department of Justice cannot issue a certified copy of the criminal record requested. Instead, such agency will provide an informational copy only. Such copy indicates the same information with that of a certified copy. What only differs is that an informational copy cannot establish identity as it is not a valid document.
In requesting for a copy of a criminal record, you have to submit your fingerprint images, and pay a processing fee of $25 to the Department of Justice. Fingerprints should be from Live Scan. Like any other record requests, an application form must be secured and must be filled out with the necessary information. For criminal record requests, a Live Scan form must be obtained and completed with your personal details. This form can be downloaded online. In the “type of application”, check the “record review”. In the “reason for application” line, enter ‘record review”. The completed form must then be submitted along with a copy of an image of your Live Scan fingerprints. The usual processing time takes weeks to months depending on the volume of requests such agencies are receiving.
In the State of California, only those with a valid reason such as employment can obtain access to such records either through the agencies stated above or through courts. Since California has implemented many rules in obtaining criminal records, doing background checks can be quite an arduous task. In this case, you may have to settle for an informational copy. However, if such copy does not seem to be adequate for your research or background check, you can actually try to pull a quick record review online.
The number of independent service providers online nowadays is relatively high. This, as a matter of fact, means that online users and customers are provided with many options to choose from. Service providers online range from free to fee based. Regardless of which type of online source you opt to resort to, they can give you the criminal or arrest records public you need in a much faster time compared to the usual turnaround time proffered by the aforesaid entities. Nevertheless, if you are concerned with the accuracy of the results of the record search, then you better choose the one that charges a minimal fee but yields precise and comprehensive results.
